Sacred flag-raising ceremony 'I love my Fatherland' at the border of Nghe An

The "I love my Fatherland" flag-raising ceremony is one of the meaningful activities in the "I love my Fatherland" journey. This activity was launched by the Provincial Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Union of Nghe An province this year to spread love for the homeland and country and to preserve, conserve and promote the cultural values ​​of the nation.

Understanding those sacred values, in early July, the youth of Que Phong district traveled a long journey to border marker 363 of the Vietnam - Laos border to join the soldiers of Thong Thu Border Post, Nghe An Provincial Border Guard to organize a meaningful flag-raising ceremony.

Sharing about this journey, comrade Lu Thanh Long - Secretary of Que Phong District Youth Union said: “Milestone 363 is a symbol of the spirit of solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Therefore, the idea of ​​organizing a flag-raising ceremony at this milestone has received many registrations from young people in the district. That shows that every union member and young person always looks towards the border of the Fatherland, wants to participate, both to experience, and to meet, encourage and share with the officers and soldiers of the Border Guard Station who are working day and night to protect the peace of the people”.

In the solemn atmosphere, when the command “Salute the flag...!” ended, the song “Farewell to the army” resounded in the vast frontier. With its heroic and tragic melody, the lyrics brought everyone back to the years of sacrifice and hardship of our army and people to preserve peace, every inch of the Fatherland. And today, those proud and sacred melodies were sung by the union members and youths before the border milestone.

Previously, in Thanh Chuong district, young people also joined soldiers at Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station to hold a flag-saluting ceremony at landmark 460, the Vietnam-Laos border landmark.

Talking about the feelings of participating in the flag-raising ceremony at the border marker for the first time, new member Vo Phan Van Khanh, class 9A - Team Leader - Thanh Thuy Secondary School emotionally shared: "It is an honor and pride to wear the green shirt of the Vietnamese Youth and become a member of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. I was even more moved when I was admitted to the Union at the national sovereignty marker and this will be the most unforgettable memory of my youth. Above all, it is the responsibility and determination to study and practice to make an important contribution to building the homeland and the country."

Immediately after the flag-raising ceremony, the union members and youths visited and presented gifts to the Border Guard soldiers stationed in the area, participated in sports exchanges, presented gifts to students with difficult circumstances who have excelled in their studies, admitted new union members, presented the national flag, and cleaned the border belt.

Discussing the above meaningful activity, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Le Van Luong said that Nghe An has 468.281 km of national land border with 105 landmarks, 116 landmarks and 44 border posts, bordering 03 provinces: Hua Phan, Xieng Khouang and Bolikhamxay of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The province's land border includes 06 districts, with 27 border communes, belonging to 06 districts: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Que Phong, Con Cuong, Anh Son and Thanh Chuong. At the same time, with 82 km of coastline, stretching through the areas of 05 districts and towns (Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Quynh Luu, Cua Lo, Hoang Mai), with 34 communes and wards.

Therefore, it is extremely important to propagate to the young generation the importance of borders, seas and islands in socio-economic development, protection of sea and island sovereignty and national border security and territorial waters.

In 2023, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee and the Secretariat of the Vietnam Youth Union of Nghe An province directed all levels of the Youth Union with borders with Laos and localities with sea routes to organize flag-raising activities at the beginning of the week or month. Through each activity, information will be provided and propaganda will be carried out to protect the sovereignty of seas, islands, borders and territories, contributing to raising awareness and responsibility of the younger generation about the strategic position and role of seas, islands and borders and territories in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security of the province and the country in the current period.

In addition, encourage and motivate cadres, soldiers, people, and forces to protect security and sovereignty over borders, seas, and islands; encourage people to settle permanently on borders, seas, and islands; propagate and foster love and sense of responsibility among all classes of people for the sacred seas and islands of the Fatherland.

In recent years, Nghe An youth through the activities of the Union, Association, Team, and Youth Union chapters at all levels have made many contributions, organized many meaningful programs and activities to educate love for the homeland, the country, and the Fatherland's borders for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the borders and islands: typically, the Flag Salute at the border marker; Border March; Journey "I love my Fatherland"; Youth with the borders, seas, and islands of the homeland; organized medical examinations and medicine distribution for people in remote, isolated, and difficult areas; established specialized volunteer teams with expertise and skills to support people in production, support young people to borrow capital to start businesses, organize a series of "Green Summer" activities in border areas...

These meaningful programs have attracted public attention, contributing to deeply educating the awareness, responsibility, and spirit of volunteerism of union members and youth./.